Shi'ite crowds denounce federalism at Baghdad demo [View All]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK940668.htm

BAGHDAD, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Several thousand supporters of a radical Shi'ite cleric marched through Shi'ite areas of Baghdad after prayers on Friday, denouncing federalism as an attempt to divide Iraq and calling for national unity.

Followers of Moqtada al-Sadr, a young preacher who has led two uprisings against U.S. forces, gathered in one of their largest demonstrations in recent months as Iraqi leaders haggled over a new constitution.

Federalism -- the granting of legislative and other powers to autonomous regions -- has become one of the major sticking points in negotiations over the charter, which much be completed by an Aug. 22 deadline.

"No! No! to division", "Yes! Yes! to unity" chanted the crowds as they marched through the poor Sadr City neighbourhood of northeastern Baghdad and Khadamiya and Bayaa, two other mainly Shi'ite districts. snip

An Iraqi judge last year issued a warrant for Sadr's arrest in connection with the murder of another Shi'ite preacher in Najaf shortly after the U.S. invasion in 2003, but it appears to have been dropped.